Australian schoolboys rugby Japan tour: Star players, photos, lessons learned in match 1

There was rock-solid defence and an “immense” performance but there’s finetuning to be done by the Australian rugby schoolboys ahead of their next outing in Japan. Match 1 standouts.

The opening match between the Australian schoolboys and Japan. Pic: Supplied.

Australian schoolboys rugby coach Mark Moxon has praised his charges for their first-up win against Japan but said there’s still plenty of finetuning to do ahead of their next game.

The Australians beat Higashi Fukuoka High School 33–10 in the first of three matches being played in Japan after taking a 21-5 lead into halftime.

“It was a good win but we started off a bit clunky,’’ Moxon told NewsLocal Sport from Japan.
“But the boys pulled it together and played really good football.

“Our defence was rock solid, I think there was only four or five missed tackles the whole game.’’

Moxon said a number of players had standout games in the opener.

The opening match between the Australian schoolboys and Japan. Photos: Naoki Morita, AFLO Sport

“I though Leo (Bassingthwaighte, Shore) was immense in the mid field. They like to run and hit the edge and he shut them down. He was very good,’’ Moxon said.

“Nick Lamming (Riverview) was also very good in attack and rock solid in defence.

“And the guys upfront, Harry Davis (The Scots College) at seven was very good, Wil Taylor, a big body was very good as well.

There were valuable lessons learned in the match.

“Will Perkins was good, his defence on the edge was excellent.

“Riley Langfield got two tries off the hard work of the forwards. They were very patient.

“PJ Poutasi was very good upfront. The big boys did their job. They stuck to our shape and what we asked them to.’’

The Australian schoolboys dominated their opener of the Japan tour.

Moxon said while the result was pleasing both the coaching staff and players wanted to see improvement in their next match on Thursday.

“We want to get better at our scrum. We need to address that, our patience as well. Sometimes we get a little ahead of ourselves,’’ he said.

Action in Australia's win. Photo: Naoki Morita, AFLO Sport

“We need a little more finetuning. There were little areas we need to improve on and the boys are keen to do that.

“But everyone is in good shape. We came out unscathed and I am very proud and pleased.

“They responded to the messages that went out, the showed grit and the defensive performance was high-end. They were very impressive.’’

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